Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander by Keira Montclair Read Free Book Online

to fit Diana. When she was finally ready to go, she stared at her reflection in the looking glass, unable to believe it was her.
    The over gown was a pale green, with a dark green undergown. The neckline was square and she wore a gold belt around her hips. Her red hair fell in waves down her back that had taken forever to arrange properly since it was often wild and unkempt. Once she was satisfied with what she saw, Micheil settled her mantle over her shoulders and they walked out into the night, not far from the revelry that had already started at the castle.
    It was just a short distance, so they had decided to walk. The closer they came to the castle, the louder the music became, and the more butterflies took flight in Diana’s stomach. As soon as the festivities came into view, she stopped, drinking in the ambience of the festivities, the flutes and fiddles calling to her like sirens on the high sea.
    This would be her night, she was sure of it. The dancing torchlights promised an eve to remember. All of a sudden, Micheil’s pace increased.
    “Micheil, what is it?”
    “Keep going. We are being followed.” He glanced over his shoulder as he propelled her toward the castle and throngs of people.
    “What are you talking about?” She glanced over her shoulder and noticed two unsavory characters behind them. “Do you think it’s his men?” She struggled to keep up with Micheil.
    “Aye, could be. We need to get there quickly.” Micheil took her elbow and escorted her into the castle bailey, through a crowd of dancers and minstrels, ladies and lassies busy flirting with any lad in sight. They had left Elspeth behind because she had not felt up to traveling with them. Since no one knew them, Diana was not worried about her reputation. This was one of the rare times that she was grateful her sire had kept her hidden. Aye, her name had been out there for suitors, but few had seen her. Micheil would protect her—of that, she had the utmost confidence. She sighed, searching the courtyard for any sign of her knight. He would be here, he had to be.
    An hour later, she had been completely unsuccessful at finding anyone suitable to be her betrothed. Discouraged and almost ready to give up for the eve, she turned to Micheil, lifting her skirts to allow for quick movement. Micheil was talking with a curvaceous blonde who reached over to rub his arm on occasion. Diana rolled her eyes and said, “I will return in a moment.”
    Not ten steps away from Micheil, a hand gripped her elbow and tugged her back until she hit a wall of muscle.
    “I thought you would never leave him.”
    Warm breath scorched her ear as she swung around to see who dared to speak to her in such an intimate manner. The most handsome man she had ever seen gazed into her eyes, and her heart melted. There he was. Unable to speak, she stared into blue eyes that enchanted her with their sparkle. His hair was blonde and straight, falling just over his collar, and an incredible smile stretched across his face.
    Her ability to speak finally returned. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
    “Perhaps not, but I need to know you. My name is Randall. And what is yours?” His rich English accent threatened to buckle her legs.
    “Diana.” So entranced was she by Randall, her breath came out with barely a whisper.
    “Ah. The goddess, Diana. What an appropriate name for a lady as beautiful as you.”
    Diana blushed and turned away.
    “Do not turn from me, my flower. I thrive when your gaze is upon me and me only.” He smiled and reached for her hands, then held them up to his lips. “You are lovely. Please tell me you are not attached to your friend.”
    Her eyes widened. “Nay, he is…family. He is my cousin.”
    “Wonderful, because I am in need of a woman in my arms this evening.” He headed toward the road outside the bailey, pulling her behind him as he directed her toward a clump of bushes. As soon as they were hidden between the branches, he wrapped his